COPD Forums

COPD Oxygen Therapy

Posted on Jan 26, 2010 in Information

COPD makes it difficult to get oxygen into the bloodstream and get carbon dioxide out of the bloodstream.  To help patients get oxygen they need, doctors oftentimes put patients with moderate to severe COPD on portable oxygen therapy.

Benefits
Oxygen therapy can increase your quality of life by easing common COPD symptoms like shortness of breath and lack of energy.  Several studies have also shown that it may help people with COPD live longer.  It may also improve confusion, memory problems, and impaired kidney function.

Side Effects
If you follow the doctor’s instructions, there are usually minimal risks.  Oxygen, however, is highly flammable so any cigarettes or open flames should be strictly avoided.

When & How Oxygen Therapy is Used
Long-term oxygen therapy is usually prescribed to raise PaO2 levels to somewhere between 60 and 65 mm Hg or oxygen saturations from 90% to 92%.  Oxygen therapy is administered in one of three ways:

Oxygen Gas Cylinders

Liquid Oxygen Devices

Oxygen Concentrator

Typically, for long-term oxygen therapy, patients should get oxygen for at least 18 hours with as few interruptions as possible.  Using it 24 hours a day should provide maximum benefit.

Remember, this site does not give complete information about COPD, oxygen therapy, or any disease.  The information it does contain may not even apply to your case.  For complete information, you should consult a doctor or a health care professional.  The information on this site should not substitute the judgment or knowledge of a health care professional.